Taoiseach must press British Prime Minister for public inquiry into Sean Brown murder – O’Neill
Leas Uachtarán Shinn Féin Michelle O’Neill has described the British government’s decision today regarding the murder of Sean Brown as ‘cruel and inhumane’.
Ms O’Neill said, “At the Court of Appeal, Lady Chief Justice Keegan was unequivocal in her remarks, saying that ‘the decision to refuse a public inquiry cannot stand and is unlawful and in breach of Article 2 obligations’.
“It is an affront to the basic principles of truth and justice that Keir Starmer’s government is threatening to once again drag Bridie Brown and her family back to court.
“As Bridie Brown previously said, five High Court judges have instructed the British government to do the right thing, yet it seems hellbent on denying her family a public inquiry.
“This cruel and inhumane act is just the latest example of British government political cynicism — blocking the right of families to access truth and justice.
“This will only add further insult to the Brown family who, unlike the British government, have led with courage and dignity in their fight for answers into Sean Brown’s murder.
“These cruel actions undermine public confidence in the administration of justice.
“This once again demonstrates the British government’s intent to deny families access to truth and justice, while attempting to force them into engaging with the discredited ICRIR.
“I will stand with the Brown family every step of the way as they rightly continue to demand a public inquiry.”
On Thursday, she wrote to Taoiseach Micheál Martin urging him to make urgent representation to the British Prime Minister to direct a public inquiry without any further delay.
In the letter, Ms O’Neill said this ‘has created real anger with the Brown Family and the wider community’. She added, ‘how this decision was communicated via a press conference at Westminster by Hilary Benn is totally unacceptable’.
Delivering her remarks at the Court of Appeal in April, Lady Chief Justice Siobhan Keegan said that it was ‘a shocking state of affairs’ that there had been no ‘lawful inquiry into the circumstances’ of the murder. And she said ‘the decision to refuse a public inquiry cannot stand and is unlawful and in breach of Article 2 obligations’.
“The approach of the British government is disgraceful and compounds the hurt and distress on the Brown family,” said Michelle O’Neill.
“My thoughts are with Bridie Brown and her family who have already waited far too long for truth, justice and accountability.
“I have written to the Taoiseach urging him to urgently make representation to the British Prime Minister to direct a public inquiry without any further delay.”
